Mission of the United States

Public Affairs Office

International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the flagship professional exchange program of the Department Of State. The IVLP brings some 5,000 participants to the United States from countries all over the world each year to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to experience the culture and diversity of the U.S. firsthand.

The visitors, who are current or potential leaders in government, politics, the media, education, and other fields, are selected by American Foreign Service Officers overseas. More than 200 current and former Heads of State, 1,500 cabinet-level ministers, and many other distinguished world leaders in government and the private sector have participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program since its founding in 1940.

The Department of State directs the program in cooperation with a wide range of non-profit organizations operating under cooperative agreements with the Department of State. The program also relies on the commitment and skills of over 95 community-based organizations across the country. They represent a wide range of institutions and expertise from universities to World Affairs Councils to all-volunteer.

Through the program’s combination of meetings, site visits, consultations, home hospitality, and focused cultural events, the IVLP seeks to provide each participant with a deeper understanding of the political, social, geographic, economic and cultural diversity of the United States; a thorough exposure to a range of responsible viewpoints, both USG and unofficial; and the opportunity to develop fruitful and lasting contacts with U.S. counterparts.

The U.S. Mission to the OSCE has been organizing IVLP programs for OSCE diplomats since 1998. The International Visitors nominated by the U.S. Mission to the OSCE travel as a group during OSCE summer recess. They receive full funding for their visit. The programs focus on a particular issue. So far, themes have included:
 

• U.S. foreign policy
• Euro-Atlantic relations
• Border security and counter-terrorism issues
• The OSCE and U.S. foreign policy
• Combating trafficking in the U.S.
• Biometrics, commerce and border security
• Promoting tolerance and diversity among ethnic groups